New Jersey’s Most Dangerous Amusement Parks 2017

Sep 12, 2017

A day at an amusement park is usually a fun-filled experience. Park-goers generally feel that they can rely on ride operators to properly inspect and maintain the park attractions, and most of the time they’re right. However, when they’re wrong, the day can quickly turn from fun to disastrous. If a ride is not properly inspected or well-maintained, riders can sustain serious injuries. Although it’s likely the farthest thing from your mind, thousands of people are injured in these parks every year. If that person happens to be you or someone you love, it’s important that you consult with an experienced attorney to understand your next steps.

If you or a loved one have been injured at an amusement park or fair, the national amusement park injury lawyers at Reiff and Bily may be able to take your case. The amusement park will likely not have your best interest in mind, but our dedicated professionals will. Our attorneys have extensive experience seeking justice for those who have been injured at amusement parks around the country. We will fight to get you compensation for your injuries. Call us today at (800) 861-6708 for a free consultation on your amusement park injury case.

Overall New Jersey Theme Park Accident Statistics

New Jersey state law requires that all incidents occurring at amusement parks and fairs be reported. Fortunately, it appears that safety in New Jersey amusement parks is on the rise, according to data from the Department of Community Affairs. Despite the tragedy that occurred in July after a fatal accident at the Ohio State Fair, an NJ Advance Media analysis of state data reveals that the number of amusement park and carnival operator accidents reported in New Jersey from June 2015 to July 2017 has decreased.

The total number of incidents reported in 2016 was 81, a decrease from the 105 that were reported in 2015. As of the beginning of August 2017, only five incidents were reported. If the number of accidents were to continue at the same rate for the duration of 2017, it is likely that only about 10 accidents would happen, resulting in a huge reduction. However, it remains to be seen whether 2017 will continue to see an upswing of ride safety in New Jersey.

Top 10 Most Unsafe New Jersey Parks

NJ.com has released a breakdown of the top 10 most unsafe parks in the state:

10, 8, 9 = Tied between Central Pier Arcade and Speedway (Atlantic City); Land of Make Believe (Hope Township); and Playland and Castaway Cove (Ocean City). All three parks these parks saw five incidents each from June 2015 through July 2017.

7 = Storybook Land (Egg Harbor Township). There were six registered incidents at this park, with no particular ride more responsible for injuries than any other.

6 = Casino Pier (Seaside Heights). Seven incidents occurred at Casino Pier, with most being caused by the Moby Dick ride. Passengers complained of electric shocks to their feet and elbows.

5, 4 = Tied between Clementon Park and Splash World (Clementon); and Six Flags Great Adventure (Jackson). Clementon Park and Splash World had a reported 15 incidents, with six of the accidents coming from the HellCat and Laguna Kahuna rides. Riders on HellCat, a long wooden coaster ride, complained of cuts to the head when making contact with the lap bar.

3 = Breakwater Beach (Seaside Heights). The waterpark reported 22 incidents during the stated two-year period. A waterslide called Two if by Sea was responsible for the most accidents, causing visitors to bump themselves on the side of the tubes.

2 = Splash Zone Water Park (Wildwood). Splash Zone had a whopping 34 incidents reported over the last two years. This represents a huge increase, as only six accidents were seen at the park between 2010 to 2014.

1 = Action Park (Vernon). Action Park ranked number one for overall number of accidents, bringing in 46 reported accidents.

According to the statistics, the most unsafe overall ride overall is the Flow Rider at Splash Zone. The single ride accounted for 16 injuries, with the Colorado River Ride of Action Park coming in second with 11 injuries.

Types of Injuries at Amusement Parks

Injuries sustained at amusement parks range greatly in severity and type. The most common are head, neck, and back injuries from car rides or from being whipped around on spinning rides. Lacerations, broken bones and torn ligaments can also result. In more severe cases, rides that operate at extremely high speeds have been shown to cause traumatic brain injuries and aneurisms. Riders are frequently injured when boarding or exiting a ride, and when clothing or body parts become stuck in ride machinery. Some passengers even report things like electric shocks or a “tingling feeling” when stepping onto a ride platform.

In rare cases, passengers have actually been thrown from rides, resulting in serious injury and even death. These injuries can be caused by a wide range of factors, including an industrial defect, the park’s failure to maintain the ride, improper operation of the ride, passenger error, or simply because of the ride’s inherently dangerous nature. Amusement park and fair accidents can be extremely serious and riders who have been injured should seek legal help from an experienced attorney to maximize their chances of recovering compensation.

Contact an Amusement Park Injury Lawyer

The amusement park injury attorneys at Reiff and Bily represent people who were injured at amusement parks, state fairs, carnivals, and festivals throughout the United States. We have decades of experience fighting for the rights of those who have been injured. If you or a loved one have been involved in an amusement park accident, contact an attorney. Never accept the park or ride owner’s word that the ride was properly inspected or safe. You may be entitled to substantial compensation if you were injured after a negligent ride inspection. Our attorneys will do what it takes to seek justice for your case and ensure that negligent third parties are held responsible. Call (800) 861-6708 today for a free consultation with our amusement park injury lawyers.

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If you or a family member has been injured in an accident, our personal injury attorneys can help you fight for justice and compensation. Contact us today for a free legal consultation.

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